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Michigan football commit Braiden McGregor is a disruptive, dominant force

Mason's Jack Gilchrist, left, celebrates after a stop for a loss with teammate Alexander Charlot, center, during the second quarter on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, at Fowlerville High School. Fowlerville's Nathan Esch looks on at right. Nick King/Lansing State Journal

Fowlerville's Joe Palyj, right, tackles Mason's Calder Meyers deep in Bulldogs territory after Meyers bobbled the snap on a punt during the second quarter on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, at Fowlerville High School. Nick King/Lansing State Journal

Fowlerville's Hunter Knaggs, left, and Kyle Lutz lead the team into the stadium before the Gladiators game against Mason on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, at Fowlerville High School. Nick King/Lansing State Journal

Lakeview sophomore Jaris McIntosh (1) intercepts a pass made to Lakeshore senior Logan Miller (14) in the last minute of the fourth quarter on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 at Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, Mich. Alyssa Keown | The Battle Creek Enquirer

East Lansing quarterback Ambrose Wilson, right, throws a pass during a game in October. East Lansing, which has competed in the postseason in Division 3 the last few years, will move up to Division 2 this fall. Al Goldis | For the Lansing State Journal

Holt's JoJo Martinez, left, runs on a keeper against East Lansing as Logan VanEnkevort, right, blocks in the fourth quarter, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. Holt won 21-14. Al Goldis | For the Lansing State Journal

Mason's quarterback Chance Strickland, left, drags Fowlerville's Adam Simon into the end zone for a touchdown on a run during the first quarter on Friday, Oct. 4, 2019, at Fowlerville High School. Nick King/Lansing State Journal

Farmington junior running back Javen Culpepper pushes off a n Avondale defender. Farmington earns its sixth win of the season with a 51-24 victory against Avondale. Tom Beaudoin | Special to Hometownlife.com

Farmington senior linebacker Engelbert Vela brings down Avondale running back David Holloman. Farmington earns its sixth win of the season with a 51-24 victory against Avondale. Tom Beaudoin | Special to Hometownlife.com

Farmington senior defensive back Alan Roberson and senior defensive lineman John Church celebrate a touchdown. Farmington earns its sixth win of the season with a 51-24 victory against Avondale. Tom Beaudoin | Special to Hometownlife.com

Fraser sophomore Anthony Merlo ended up on the wrong side of Braiden McGregor’s highlight-reel moment. And it appeared to hurt.

Early in Friday night’s MAC Blue contest at Fraser, McGregor, a four-star defensive end at Port Huron Northern, plowed over the Ramblers left tackle while chasing a ball carrier. Merlo hit the ground hard and was slow to get up.

“I try to get past whoever’s in front of me,” he said. “Putting a guy on his back is beneficial. I let that (attitude) talk for itself.”

McGregor was rarely involved in the play Friday — only because Fraser (0-6, 0-3) avoided him nearly every play.

“We know what he can do; everyone in the (MAC Blue) knows,” Fraser coach Jon Skladanowski said. “We stayed away from him. He’s a very physical, strong player. He’s going to do well at the next level.”

That’s the hope for the Wolverines, who are thin on elite defensive linemen right now. Coach Jim Harbaugh fought off Clemson and Notre Dame — plus a late push by Ohio State and former U-M defensive line coach Greg Mattison — to secure McGregor’s verbal pledge.

Port Huron Northern defensive end Braiden McGregor (17) watches a play against Fraser from the sideline during the first half Fraser, Friday, Oct. 4, 2019.(Photo: Junfu Han, Detroit Free Press)

While there is no sure thing in recruiting, McGregor’s commitment to Michigan appears solid.

“There’s no indication other schools are even recruiting him at this point,” Lorenz said. “It would take something drastic (coaching change) for McGregor to even consider other programs at this juncture.”

McGregor said he needs to get stronger before arriving in Ann Arbor, but plans to contribute immediately. He wants to play weak-side defensive end as a freshman, and move to the strong-side as a sophomore.

“Strength is always something you can improve,” McGregor said. “I’ve been hitting the weight room five days a week during the season. The major thing for me is getting to know (U-M’s) playbook as soon as possible. I’m excited to get there and enroll early.”

Northern coach Larry Roelens believes the Wolverines are getting an elite athlete in McGregor, who was offered by Clemson to play tight end, but he wanted to stick with defense.

“He’s a two-year captain for a reason — he comes to work everyday,” Roelens said. “His length, his speed, his size, his strength; that’s why he’s going to the University of Michigan. He has all those attributes.”

“For some reason, everyone hates on Harbaugh, everyone thinks he’s overrated,” McGregor said. “I think he’s a really good coach. You look at what he’s done the past couple years, putting guys in the NFL.

“You want to go and try to win a national championship, but it’s more than just on the field. Off the field, he’s a guy that’s going to treat you like a man and help raise you. His compassion is there. I don’t think he’s lost his compassion at all.”